Metal furnace



Dec. 7, 1948. s oM N 2,455,531

METAL FURNACE Filed Oct. 6, 1944 4 She'ets-Sheii fizz/6 7a for": Jaci Z. 52"7-027(0I2 Dec. 7, 1948. J. 1.. STROMAN 7 2,455,531 I METAL FURNACE Filed 001;. 6, 1.944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 27%;: 25 0 7" Jack J .527'02/202? Dgc. 7, 1948. J L,- -$TRQMAN 2,455,531

METAL FURNACE Filed Oct. 6, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 7, 1948. J,L.. sTROMAN METAL FURNACE 4 Sheefcs-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 6, 1944- Patented cc. 7, 1948 ATENT OFFICE METAL FURNACE Jack L. Stroman, Elmwood Park, lill., assignor to The Petersen Oven Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application October 6, 1944, Serial No. 557,453

3 Claims. (Cl. Hid--33) This invention relates to metal melting furwherein the spaced relation of the door provides naces, and more particularly to furnaces of the a passageway through which the gases are extype having a rotary melting chamber. hausted from the chamber.

Furnaces of this general type are usually pro- Other objects and advantages of this invention vided with a melting chamber or drum, mounted 5 H will be apparent from the following description for rotation about a substantially horizontal taken in connection with the accompanying and having a charging and firing port opening at drawings in whichone end, and an exhaust port at the opposite end. Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the im- By reason of such a construction the quantity of proved furnaceembodying the present invention. metal which may be handled at one time in the 10, Figure 2 is a plan View thereof. chamber is limited, because the level of the molten Figure 3 is a transverse sectional View through metal cannot be higher than the bottom of either the furnace, taken substantially as indicated at port opening. Furthermore, in furnaces of this line 3-3 on Figure 1.

general type the molten metal never contacts the Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary axial seccentral area around the exhaust end of the 11 -;tion through the upper end of the furnace, taken chamber which results in an accumulation of substantially as indicated at line d l on Figure 2.

slag and freezing of the metal on and around Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view, taksaid central area. By providing for firing of the en substantially as indicated at line 5-5 on chamber endwise therethrough, with the pro- Figure 1.

vision of an exhaust port opening opposite the Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view firing port opening, there results substantially through the lower portion of the chamber showoxidization of certain metals together with the ing the relation of the discharge outlet to the attendant loss of metal. lateral wall of the chamber.

One of the objects of this invention is to pro- Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional View, taken. vide an improved furnace construction which substantially as indicated at line 1-? on Figure 5. obviates the foregoing limitations and difficulties. The furnace embodying the present invention Another object is to provide an improved furand as illustrated in the drawings, includes a nace construction, characterized by the provision rotary melting chamber or drum [0, of substanof a rotary melting chamber disposed with its tially circular cross section, having a refractory axis of rotation inclined to horizontal, and havlining or inner wall as indicated at H. In the ing its lower end normally closed, and the upper construction as illustrated, the chamber is disend provided with a port opening to serve for posed with its axis inclined to horizontal and charging and firing of the chamber, and also for having a fully closed rear end wall, Ha. The exhausting the gases from the chamber, while opposite or upper end of the chamber is formed obtaining a maximum molten melting capacity to provide a centrally located circular port openfor a chamber of given dimensions. ing l2.

A further object is to provide an improved furvSurrounding the chamber are a pair of axially nace construction, characterized by the provision spaced apart annular tires or tracks, I4. Each of a rotary metal melting chamber disposed with of the tires seat upon a pair of transversely spaced its axis inclined to horizontal so that its entire apart rollers l5, as seen in Figure 3, journal suplower end wall and lateral wall are continuously ported in bearing brackets l6 which in turn are brought into contact with the molten metal while mounted on structural frame members ll, formthe chamber is rotated. ing a part of the main frame structure I8, which Still another object is to provide an improved is of generally rectangular form, built up of furnace construction which permits safe, accurate structural elements including channels, angle and efficient discharge of the molten metal from irons and gusset plates. The sets of rollers 15 the end of the chamber opposite the firing end. cooperating with each of the tires I l, form a A still further object is to provide an improved cradle for the chamber l0, and provide anti-fricfurnace construction wherein the rotary melting tion support for the chamber so that the latter chamber is provided at one end with a single port 50 may be rotated about its inclined axis. I opening to serve as the charging opening, and a To maintain the chamber [0 in proper position movable door is adapted to be adjusted in spaced with its axis inclined to horizontal and in supapart relation to and in registration with said ported relation on therollers I5, I provide a pair port, and arranged to permit fuel to be injected of thrust rollers 20, at opposite sides of the chaininto the chamber for firing said chamber, and her, with the tread of the rollers positioned in engagement with under or rear face of the uppermost tire l4, as clearly seen in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings. The rollers 20 are mounted on stub shafts 2|, journaled in bearings 22, which in turn are mounted on the upper ends of upright structural framing as indicated at 23, rigidly connected tothemain frame [8.

Surrounding the chamber l0, intermediate the tires or tracks I4, is an annular sprocket ring 26, engaged by a drive chain 21, which chain is also trained around a drive sprocket wheel 28, mounted on a shaft 29, which in turn is connected by a universal coupler 30, to one end of .a speed reducer 3|, and the latter being driven by an electric motor 32. The drive mechanism described is mounted on an auxiliary frame structure 34', rigidly connected to and forming an extension of the main frame I8.

It is to be understood that the drive for the chamber I is such as to result in relatively slow rotation of the chamber and suitable controls (not shown) may be provided for causing fine controlof rotationof the chamber in small angular amounts for purposesas will hereinafter be described.

Due to this position of the chamber with. its axis at an inclination. to horizontal, it is now possible to greatly increasethe molten metal capacity of a chamber of given dimensions as compared with rotary chamber furnaces heretofore available. As may. be clearly seen in Figure 1 of the drawings, the horizontal level of the molten metal, as represented at A, commences from the inner end of the neck of the port Opening. 12, and the opposite end of the level ofthe molten metal contacts the. lower end wall lid, of the chamber a substantial distance above. the axis.

ber furnaces, the depthof the molten metalds limited to the distance. between the inner end.

of the neck of the portopening and the lateral wall of the chamber. In addition to [increased capacity, there is the further. advantage that as thechamber rotates, the entire inner surface of the chamber, is continuously broughtinto contact withthe molten metal. By virtue of. this construction the entirearea of the closed lower end wall Ila of the chamber is subjectedto contact with the moltenmetal and reduces slag ac-- cumulation and prevents freezing of metal to the lining of the rear end wall of the chamber, as occurs in furnaces heretofore available. By virtue of this construction slag accumulation'may be quickly and easily removedv through the port opening, l2. Due to the inclination of the axis of the. rotary chamber the possibilityof the molten metal splashing out of the charging-port opening is greatly reduced. as compared. withv conventional constructions, wherein the lower side of the neck or wall portion of the port opening is substantially in registration with or slightly above the level .of.m0lten.metal in the. chamber.

The port opening l2, serves three major functions, namely, (1) to provide. an opening: for.

charging the interior. of the chamber. with metal to be melted; (2) to provide an openingthrough which fuel is injected for firing of the chamber for melting the metal therein; and (3) toprovide for egress or exhaust of gases generated in the chamber.

Disposed in spaced apart relation to the upper:

cated at 4|, surrounded by a metal band 42, connected to vertically spaced apart rearwardly extending brackets 44 and 45 at upper and lower ends respectively. The door 40 is mounted to swing about a vertical axis, and is adapted to always move in parallel relation to the upper end-of-the chamber ll), sothat when-the door is in a closed position it is disposed in a desired spaced apart relation to the upper end of the chamber Hi to constitute an annular opening for discharge of the exhaust gases from the interior of' the chamber, as may be seen in Figure 1. When the door is swung about its vertical axis to. an open position, it is disposed entirely clear and away from theupper end of the chamber, at one side of the opening l2, so as to permit maximum convenience in charging the chamber or. for theremoval of slag from the molten metal therein.

Rigidly, mounted in fixed relation to the. door In is a forced feed fuel supply apparatus, including a discharge nozzle 41,,disposed in reg: istration with a central opening. 40a, providedin the door 40. Any suitablefuel may be used such. as gas or liquid fuel properly admixedwitha.

source of forced air, andinjected through the cpening.40a in the door, and ignited'within the chamber. flames produced by the fuel aredirected substantially centrally into the chamber with some of the current or portions of the flame directly contacting the upper surface of the metal, andv with other portions .of the flames traveling into contact with the exposed lower end and lateral wall portion of the refractory lining of the chamber, as indicated by the dotted arrows in Figure 1 of the drawings. The exhaust gasesgenerated within the chamber are caused to discharge, as indicated by the dotted arrows in Figure 1 inthe drawings, by flowingthrough the outer marginal portion of the port opening l2. and discharging.

through the space betweenthe upper end'of the chamber and the door 40. By virtue of'thisarrangementof firing of. the chamber [0, the slag accumulation is materially. reduced, and a substantial improvement in convertingthemetal to a desired molten condition is effected by the head end discharge of .the exhaust gases ina manner as indicated. As the.fuel is fed into the chamber it is preheated by. the exhaust gas andserves to increase the temperature adjacent the burner nozzle, thus obtaining greater efficiency of the fuel consumed; Furthermore, by this arrange.- ment the cold. mixture of fuel connot directly impinge upon the top surface of the molten metal. This results in. avoiding, chill of the metal and tends to eliminateor reduce oxidize-.-

tion of the metal, depending. on the metalsbeing, melted. The eliminationor reduction of oxidiza.-

neath the metalsothat the metalissubjected.

to high heat from all'directions, resulting in burning up fusible impurities.

Rigidly connected to the brackets 44 and 45, which in turn areconnected to the door proper. is a rectangular frame 50, formedof pipe,.di.- rectly connected to and. communicating with a vertical pipe 5|, which in turn is, journaled.ln vertically spaced apart bearings 52, rigidly bolted to an upright structural post 53. The twohori= zontal pipe members of the rectangular frame. are rigidlyconnectedtogether by a sheet metal When the burner is operating the.

plate 50a, welded thereto andreinforced at the under side by a brace member 5%, in the form of a plate, welded at its upper edge to the-lower horizontal member of the frame 50, and with its vertical edge welded to the pipe 5|. A thrust bearing 54 is mounted around the pipe 5| and seated on a bracket 55, also bolted to the post 53. The upper end of the pipe 5| is sealed and closed by a cap 51, and thelower end of said pipe is closed by a plug 57. A fitting 58, at the lower end of the pipe 5|, is connected to a horizontal pipe 59, which communicates with a blower chamber 60, of a blower 5|, driven by an electric motor 62. Opening off of the lower hori zontal pipe member of the pipe frame 50, as seen in Figures 4 and 5, are piping connections, as indicated at 64, which are connected into the burner nozzle 41, in a manner well understood in the art. It is to be understood that the nozzle construction is such as to provide for suitable admixture of the forced air with the fuel incident to its discharge from the nozzle.

The forced air supply supplied to the nozzle may be controlled by a valve 65, operated by a handle 65. The forced air supplied by the blower 8| is fed through the vertical pipe 5| into either or both of the horizontal sections of the pipe frame 50, and thence into the pipe connections, 64 to the nozzle.

Extending rearwardly from the nozzle 41 .is a fuel supply system including a pipe 15, connected at its outer end to a valve H, which in turn is connected to a pipe 12, extending horizontally and connected into a vertical upwardly extending pipe 13, the upper end of which is connected toanother horizontal section of pipe M. 'The opposite end of the pipe 14 is connected to a fitting l5 Whichextends down through the cap member 51, and is connected to a fuel supply pipe 11, extends downwardly through the pipe 5| and through the plug 57 at the lower end of said pipe, as clearly seen in Figure 5 of the drawings. The end of the fuel supply pipe 11, projecting downwardly below the pipe member 5|, is connected to a pipe 78, which in turn is connected to a source of fuel supply. In the construction as shown, it is to be understood that the fuel supply pipe is stationary and the forced air supply pipe 5| is rotatable with the door 40. To permit such rotation it is to be understood that the pipe 5| is rotatable a portion of a revolution at its threaded connection to the pipe fitting 58, while the fuel supply pipes swivel at their connection of the fitting 75 to the pipe 11. The latter connection may be a conventional connection commonly employed for permitting swiveling of the connected parts without leakage of the contained fluid.

By virtue of the construction described, the door 40 together with the fuel nozzle and pipe connections associated therewith, may be conveniently swung to and from operative relation with respect to the port opening l2, of the rotary chamber. Because the door is totally independent of the chamber, it is not interfered with in any manner as a result of the rotation of the chamber ID.

The rear end of the chamber ID is provided with a discharge duct or tapping port 80, disposed in alignment with the lateral wall of the refractory lining ll, of the chamber, as seen in Figures 1 and 6, so as to insure complete drainage of all the metal in the chamber. The outer end of the duct is surrounded by a boss form of projection, Hi0. including a refractory lining ||b, extending rearwardly from the rear end of portion of which is adapted'to be latched in closed position behind a lug 85. In open position of the door 8| the hand piece 84 is adapted to be latched behind a catch member 81, secured to the intermediate portion 'of the outer surface of the outer end wall of the chamber, as clearly seen;

in Figure 1 of the drawings. If desired the door 8| may be dispensed with and the discharge duct 85 temporarily plugged with suitable material such as clay, orif desired, the discharge duct,

may be temporarily plugged with clay or other suitable material while also utilizing the door 8|.

When the metal in the chamber Illarrives at a proper molten condition, the chamber is retarded so as to arrest the same with the discharge open-.- ing 80, disposed slightly above the level A of the molten metal. The chamber may thenbe gradually rotated to bring the discharge opening 8!! into registration with the molten metal for accurately controlling the iiow of metal therethrough into a suitable ladle (not shown). As the level. of the molten metal is reduced in the chamber Ill the chamber is rotated so as to maintain registry of the discharge duct 85 with the upper liquid level of the molten metal. After the molten metal is substantially discharged in its entirety the dis-,

charge duct 85, finally assumes the position as seen in Figure 1 of the drawings, so that complete discharge of the molten metal from the chamber is effected, by reason of the downwardly-v sloping relation of the lateral Wall of and said duct.

Although I have herein shown and described a the chamber certain preferred embodiment of my'inventiom;

manifestly it is capable of modification and rearrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. While my novel door construction is shown as a part of a novel arrangement of a furnace, it should be apparent that it would have similar advantages in a furnace construction such as represented in Figure 1 of the drawings and wherein the metal was discharged from the chamber by tilting it forwardly, causing the metal to flow through the same single port opening through which the chamber is charged, and through which fuel is injected, and from which exhaust gases are discharged. The door may also be used to great advantage with conventional furnaces wherein the chamber rotates about a horizontal axis. I do not, therefore, wish to be understood as limiting this invention to the precise embodiment herein disclosed, except as I may be so limited by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A metal melting furnace comprising a rotatable chamber having a refractory lining, the rear-end of said chamber being closed and the forward end being provided with a centrally located port for charging and firing the chamber and serving as a passageway for exhaust gases, a door including a refractory panel mounted independently of said chamber on a vertical axis for movement toward and away from the forward end of the chamber, said panel having a central opening adapted to register with said port, fluid fuel feeding apparatus mounted on said door and including a nozzle disposed in registration with said opening, said mounting for the door being correlated to the end of the chamber whereby said panel may be disposed in closed position in Maureen a:. predeterminedspaced? apart: relatiom. to: thef forward end'ofithe chambenitoiprowide'aipassage way-for." emhamsii di'scharginguthrough they outer mnrginal'. portions of saim'port; means forguiiii'ngmnd supportingthe chamber during. r0 tationg: andmeans for rotating: said chamber:

2. A metaltmeltingwfumace comprising. a rotatable; chamber. disposedzawithr its axis: inclinecla twhorizontal. and: provided;.with: airefractory linmgr: the: rear end. ofi said-.- chamber being closed"? amct'thea forwardi'end beingpnovided. with'a centrally located; port for-ichargingiandnfiringithea chamberandserving. as a passageway forrexhaust gases; azdoor" including a; refractory panel mmmitedt independently on: saidr chamber" ona: verticalaxis for. movement towardaand away from: the forward: endof the chamber, said::panel having-acentralf opening adapted to register with saidl' port, fluid fuel feeding apparatus: mounted ctr-said door and including-a; nozzle disposed) in; registration wit-in said opening;. said door and.

mounting beingcorrelated'i to the 'endlof the chamber whereby sai'd'fipanel' may be disposed'm closed position in :a predetermined spaced apart" er: mounted:independently of: said: chamber (ma: vertical axis for movement toward and" away from thezforward endof; the chamber, saidipanel having a. centralv opening adapted! to register with said port, fiuidfuel feeding-apparatus mounted; on saidxdoor, and; including a nozzle disposedin registration with said; opening,v in substantial alignment with the axis oithe chamber, said doorv and mounting being-.correlated to the end of the-chamber. whereby said panel may be disposed iniclosed position ina predetermined spaced apart substantiallyiparallel relation to the forward end" of the chamber torprovidea passageway for ex-- haust'gases discharging through the outer marginal portions of saidiport', the angle of inclina tion' of said chamber being sufliciently great to:

insurethat the upper levelof molten metal in the-chamber will initially be above'the center ofrotation of the rearend of the chamber, means" forguiding; and-ssupporting the chamber during rotation, and'means for rotatingsaidchamberz: JACK L. STROMAN".

REFERENCES CITED The following reierences areyofrecordirrther,

file of thispatent:

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